Grove residents hear about massive battery plant, share thoughts with developers

It’s the last day of September. Dozens of Grove residents turned out Tuesday night to review complex planned on BASF site. Toano man shoots himself after holding off police for hours.

Grove Activist Ryan Bonney chats with James City County chair John J. McGlennon, Taneska representatives in maroon chat with Grove residents (Williamsburg Watch photos)

Grove residents had a chance to meet Tuesday night with representatives of the Omaha company that wants to build the nation’s largest battery storage complex on part of the old BASF site, which was contaminated decades ago by fiber-spinning operations.

Omaha-based Taneska Energy, Inc. is seeking a permit to build a 650-megawatt battery complex on part of the land on the former BASF site, which has been dormant more than 25 years because of significant soil and groundwater contamination.

More than two dozen Grove residents had shown up at the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center shortly after the event began at 6 Tuesday night.

The reactions of those we spoke to ranged from neutral to opposed.